U.S. patent application number 10/786279 was filed with the patent office on 2004-11-18 for photovoltaic/solar safety and marker tape.
Invention is credited to Banister, Mark.
Application Number | 20040226601 10/786279 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34911463 |
Filed Date | 2004-11-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040226601 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Banister, Mark |
November 18, 2004 |
Photovoltaic/solar safety and marker tape
Abstract
A self-contained safety marker or hazard marking tape or
laminate includes a combination of devices laminated together to
produce a thin illuminating and reflective device that is
independently powered, capable of being multi colored and can send
and receive sensor signals.
Inventors: |
Banister, Mark; (Tucson,
AZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARK BANISTER
6550 E. MIRAMAR DR.
TUCSON
AZ
85715
US
|
Family ID: |
34911463 |
Appl. No.: |
10/786279 |
Filed: |
February 24, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60448888 |
Feb 24, 2003 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
136/252 ;
136/244 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01F 9/553 20160201;
E01F 9/559 20160201; E01F 9/524 20160201; Y02E 70/30 20130101; G09F
13/22 20130101; Y02E 10/50 20130101; H02S 40/38 20141201 |
Class at
Publication: |
136/252 ;
136/244 |
International
Class: |
H01L 031/00 |
Claims
1. A laminated electrical device comprising stacked layers
including a substrate, a photovoltaic to produce electricity, a
device for storing electricity produced by the photovoltaic, a
source of illumination, electrical circuitry for electrically
connecting the aforesaid electrical components, and a protective
surface.
2. The device as in claim 1 wherein the substrate is rigid.
3. The device as in claim 1 wherein the substrate is flexible.
4. The device as in claim 1 further comprising an adhesive and a
removable covering for the adhesive applied to said protective
surface or substrate.
5. The device as in claim 1 further comprising an alternative
electrical power inlet and outlet connection point in electrical
connection with said electrical circuitry.
6. The device as in claim 1 further comprising a thermally
conductive layer in contact with said electric components or layers
to dissipate heat from said electric components.
7. The device as in claim 1 further comprising one or more sensor
switches in electrical connection with said electrical circuitry
for turning one or more of said electrical components on and
off.
8. The device as in claim 1 further comprising one or more
controllers in electrical connection to said electrical components
or circuitry to control activation and/or duration of illumination
and/or signal.
9. The device as in claim 8 further comprising one or more sensors
in electrical connection to said electrical circuitry to provide
sensor feedback to the controller.
10. The device as in claim 1 further comprising one or more signal
transmitters and receivers in electrical connection to said
electrical circuitry.
11. The device as in claim 1 said electrical circuitry prevents
electric current drain through said photovoltaic.
12. The device as in claim 1 wherein said device for storing
electricity comprises one or more capacitors.
13. The device as in claim 1 wherein said device comprises one or
more batteries or fuel cells.
14. The device as in claim 1 wherein one or more of said electrical
component layers are transparent.
15. The device as in claim 1 wherein one or more of said
non-electrical component layers are transparent.
16. The device as in claim 1 further comprising one or more
transparent adhesive layers.
17. The device as in claim 1 wherein the source of illumination
emits light in the visible light spectrum, non-visible spectrum or
combination of both.
18. The device as in claim 17 wherein the source of illumination
comprises one or more light emitting diodes.
19. The device as in claim 17 wherein the source of illumination
comprises one or more organic light emitting devices.
20. The device as in claim 17 wherein the source of illumination
comprises one or more electroluminescent materials.
21. The device as in claim 17 wherein the source of illumination
comprises one or more illuminating chips, preferable a laser,
photonic, LED or other miniature light emitting source.
22. The device as in claim 1 further comprising one or more layers
of light refractive materials.
23. The device as in claim 1 further comprising one or more layers
of light reflective materials.
24. The device as in claim 23 wherein the light reflective material
is oriented to reflect in one or more directions.
25. The device as in claim 1 further comprising one or more layers
of fluorescent materials.
26. The device as in claim 1 further comprising one or more layers
of luminescent materials.
27. The device as in claim 1 further comprising one or more layers
of dielectric materials.
28. The device as in claim 1 wherein an exterior surface of the
device is smooth.
29. The device as in claim 1 wherein an exterior surface of the
device is textured.
30. The device as in claim 1 wherein one or more electrical
components are combined in a single layer.
31. The device as in claim 1 comprising a plurality of layers or
multiple devices assembled edge to edge.
32. The device as in claim 1 comprising a plurality of layers or
multiple devices laminated edge to edge
33. The device as in claim 1 comprising a plurality of devices in
electrical, illumination or signal connection.
34. (canceled).
35. (canceled).
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 from
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/448,888 filed Feb. 24,
2003 which is incorporated by reference for all purposes.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a highly visible, easily
deployed hazard and safety marking device that can be easily
mounted to many surfaces in temporary or permanent conditions.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
[0003] The provision of safety markings or hazard markings has been
known in the art for many years. These devices have been somewhat
limited to reflectors, reflective tapes, illuminating devices,
fluorescent materials and paints.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 3,971,623 consists of a fixed roadway marker
having a shell-like body with a chamber formed therein. The body is
at least partially transparent to form a transparent outer wall for
the chamber so the interior of the chamber is visible. Either
daytime or nighttime marker elements or both may be provided in the
chamber.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,340,319 shows a pavement marker for
engagement with an underlying roadway for providing a marker
visible from an oncoming vehicle on the roadway surface. The
pavement marker comprises a lens member of light transmitting
synthetic resin, and a rear surface having a reflex reflective
means for reflecting light transmitted through a light receiving
and refracting portion back to the source.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,382,126 describes a flexible reflective
safety, signal and warning patch. The patch is attachable to
clothing or an object and includes a plurality of reflective panels
in a variety of geometric shapes using reflective, prismatic or
fluorescent material
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,782,552 consists of a light assembly
comprising a LED a rechargeable diode and a solar cell to recharge
the capacitor. The solar cell is further utilized as a photosensor
to energize the LED at a pre-determined level of light.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,619,831 provides a flexible strip light
emitter comprised of LEDs and electrodes covered by a synthetic
resin made from strip shaped transparent vinyl and a provision for
reflective sheets.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,687,266 describes organic light emitting
materials and devices. These devices include an anode, a cathode
and an emissive layer disposed between the anode and cathode.
Various materials and the colors they emit are discussed along with
particle size and the ability for the layers to be transparent.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,469,020 shows active light emitting
components are integrated into a thin flexible plastic-wrap like
film to provide an exceptionally large continuous display in which
the film contains densely distributed light emitting elements
addressed by a grid of transparent conductors.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,541,695 consists of methods and materials to
produce high efficiency low cost photovoltaic layers in large
volume.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 6,664,898 provides for multiple hazard field
marker and components and describes a system comprising of at least
one multiple hazard marking device, a deployment vehicle, a
communication system, a deployment surface.
[0013] Known sensors and circuits are described in several books by
Joseph J. Carr, Sensors and Circuits, published by Prentice-Hall,
Englewood Cliffs, N.J., 1993, Sensor Circuitry, published by Delmar
Publishers, 1997, RF Components and Circuitry, published by Newnes,
2002, Electro-optic Circuitry, published by Delmar Publishers,
1997
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The purpose of this invention is to provide a compact long
lasting, versatile electronic safety and marking device that can
provide high visibility. The size, simplicity and durability of the
design is believed to be of major significance in providing hazard
or safety marking over a wide range of applications.
[0015] Furthermore the invention can take advantage of large volume
manufacturing processes, such as roll to roll lamination or sheet
lamination techniques in order to produce the device in an economic
manner.
[0016] In its simplest form it can be applied directly from a roll
to a roadway, barrier or object to provide a glowing, or flashing
indicator of direction, hazard or safety condition. By adding
interactive sensing and signaling abilities it can turn itself on
or off according to conditions or signal when a person or vehicle
is near, thereby conserving energy and the life of the device.
[0017] Other uses can be for chemical, biological, location or
radiation detection that can be activated remotely to identify and
tag an object or area as to the hazard or safety issue and relevant
degree of exposure. It is foreseen that the invention could be
manufactured as an adhesive backed stick on that could detect and
reflect light, Infrared and Radio Frequency signals and illuminate
and transmit a hazard or rescue signal.
[0018] Additionally the invention could be transparent and applied
to surfaces where it would not be easily seen by the human eye. Or
applied as a transparent laminate to a window with the non
transparent electronics applied or attached to the side of the
window for concealment
[0019] Further uses could include a plurality of the sensors to
form a system interconnected by electric, optic illumination or
transmitting and receiving signals,
[0020] The invention could also be sewn on to fabric or attached to
objects using a removable system such as Velcro or snaps.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment showing the
laminated layers;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a simple schematic of FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment with multiple
illumination, reflection and sensor capabilities as a round
adhesive backed stick on; and
[0024] FIG. 4 is a simple schematic of FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] Respective embodiments of the safety and marker tape will be
described specifically below. Laminates and lamination techniques
vary dependent on materials used in and on the layers. Examples of
layer materials are acrylics, polymers and foils. Pressure
sensitive adhesives include acrylic based, rubber based and
polyester based and are used with various additives such as
cross-linking agents and are widely known and readily available
commercially through companies like 3M. Additional forms of
lamination can include but are not limited to heat, chemical, and
light curing.
[0026] Starting with a base layer(1) each electrical component is
stacked with an insulating, conductive or adhesive layer or
combination; then pressure, heat, light or combinations of these
are applied per laminating product specifications. The final
layer(5) can be a soft embeding material that cures or a spray on
coating such as a polymer paint.
[0027] The electrical components are readily available through
manufacturers such as Mactac Technical Products located in Stow,
Ohio, which manufactures RFID Radio Frequency Identification
tape(14), currently used for inventory control, retail security,
and electronic toll management. Electroluminescent tape(4) is also
readily available through Martac.
[0028] Photovoltaic(3) and battery(2) thin films are readily
available through manufacturers who can produce them to customer
size and apply an adhesive. One such company is Global Solar
located in Tucson, Ariz. Most of these thin films are produced via
vacuum vapor deposition or sputtering producing ultra fine metalic
or conductive layers over a thin foil or film. The order and
composition of the layers produce the desired electrical
properties. The batteries can be stacked if needed to achieve the
desired voltage. The battery could also be replaced by a fuel cell
although these are not readily available at this time and will most
likely be cost prohibitive until they are mass produced.
[0029] Currently there is much research being conducted to produce
TiO based electric film products due to its organic properties,
availability and related costs. TiO based films are available that
are transparent and applicable to large volume manufacture,
although not as efficient as metal or silicon based photovoltaics.
The inexpensive manufacturing and properties of these make them
desirable.
[0030] Electrical connections in the preferred embodiment would be
made during the lamination process with circuitry(14) that is
printed, etched or plated on a laminate film or layer that
corresponds with the electrode connections for each layer. Silver,
platinum and gold conductive films are available in a variety of
compositions that can be transparent. This would be readily
apparent to any one schooled in the art.
[0031] Controler(11) and sensors(12, 13) would be added and
electrically connected for desired sensing and signaling
properties. These would also if needed be masked before assembly or
final sealing layer is applied. Light reflective material(16) such
as Scotchlite.TM. By 3M and colors can be added or printed before
or in the sealing layer(5). Laser cutting, etching and molding
portions of one or more layers can add other reflective properties.
In addition glass or silicon spheres added to a layer or surface
can add reflective properties as well. Once the final sealing layer
and adhesive backing can be applied the product may be stamped or
cut out of a sheet or roll. The product could additionally be left
in roll or sheet form with cuts or perforations at or around the
product for easy removal or application. This would be readily
apparent to anyone schooled in the art. Roll to roll lamination is
essentially combining material from one roll with a process to
produce a second roll or combine material from one roll with
another one or more rolls to produce a subsequent roll.
[0032] While the various features of this invention are described
and illustrated as a photovoltaic/solar safety and marker tape it
is to be understood that the embodiments in the figures and
description are merely representative of the myriad of safety and
marker tape combinations which can be constructed to accomplish the
purpose of this invention and this invention is not to be limited
in the scope by the figures presented.
* * * * *